Contemporary Translation Theories

"This revised second edition productively updates each of the approaches, incorporating the latest research, and adds a new conclusion addressing the future of translation studies. Offering new insights into the nature of translation, language, and cross-cultural communication, the book will interest students and specialists in translation, linguistics, literary theory, philosophy of language, and cultural studies."--BOOK JACKET.

During the last thirty years, the field of translation has exploded with multiple new theories. Contemporary Translation Theories examines five of new approaches the translation workshop, the science of translation, translation studies, polysystem theory, and deconstruction all of which began in the mid -1960s and continue to be influential today.

Exploring Translation Theories presents a comprehensive analysis of the core contemporary paradigms of Western translation theory. The book covers theories of equivalence, purpose, description, uncertainty, localization, and cultural translation. This second edition adds coverage on new translation technologies, volunteer translators, non-lineal logic, mediation, Asian languages, and research on translators’ cognitive processes. Readers are encouraged to explore the various theories and consider their strengths, weaknesses, and implications for translation practice. The book concludes with a survey of the way translation is used as a model in postmodern cultural studies and sociologies, extending its scope beyond traditional Western notions. Features in each chapter include: An introduction outlining the main points, key concepts and illustrative examples. Examples drawn from a range of languages, although knowledge of no language other than English is assumed. Discussion points and suggested classroom activities. A chapter summary. This comprehensive and engaging book is ideal both for self-study and as a textbook for Translation theory courses within Translation Studies, Comparative Literature and Applied Linguistics.

Contemporary Translation Theories traces the growth of translation theory from its traditional roots through the recent proliferation of theories, fuelled by research in feminism, poststructural, and postcolonial investigations. Edwin Gentzler examines five new approaches - the translation workshop, the science of translation, translation studies, polysystem theory, and deconstruction - all of which began in the mid - 1960s and continue to be influential today. In this critical overview, he explores the strengths and weaknesses of each method, tracing the connections among the different schools of thought. Illustrating the importance of translation theory to the current debates in cultural studies, Gentzler raises important theoretical questions challenging assumptions of the leading translation theories. This revised second edition productively updates each of the approaches, incorporating the latest research, and adds a new conclusion addressing the future of translation studies. Offering new insights into the nature of translation, language, and cross-cultural communication, the book will interest students and specialists in translation, linguistics, literary theory, philosophy of language, and cultural studies. Contents: Introduction " The North American Translation Workshop " The Science of Translation " Early Translation Studies " Polysystem Theory " Deconstruction " The Future of Translation Studies " Bibliography " Index

This book gathers together for the first time the editors of some of the most prestigious Translation Studies journals, and serves as a showcase of the academic and geographical diversity of the discipline. The collection includes a discussion on the intralinguistic translation of Romeo and Juliet; thoughts on the concepts of adaptation, imitation and pastiche with regards to Japanese manga; reflections on the status of the source and target texts; a study on the translation and circulation of Inuit-Canadian literature; and a discussion on the role of translation in Latin America. It also contains two chapters on journalistic translation – linguistic approaches to English-Hungarian news translation, and a study of an independent news outlet; one chapter on court interpreting in the US and a final chapter on audio-description. The book was originally published as a special issue in 2017 to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of Perspectives: Studies in Translation Theory and Practice.

Arising from cultural anthropology in the late 1980s and early 1990s, postcolonial translation theory is based on the observation that translation has often served as an important channel of empire. Douglas Robinson begins with a general presentation of postcolonial theory, examines current theories of the power differentials that control what gets translated and how, and traces the historical development of postcolonial thought about translation. He also explores the negative and positive impact of translation in the postcolonial context, reviewing various critiques of postcolonial translation theory and providing a glossary of key words. The result is a clear and useful guide to some of the most complex and critical issues in contemporary translation studies.

Deconstruction and Translation explains ways in which many practical and theoretical problems of translation can be rethought in the light of insights from the French philosopher Jacques Derrida. If there is no one origin, no transcendent meaning, and thus no stable source text, we can no longer talk of translation as meaning transfer or as passive reproduction. Kathleen Davis instead refers to the translator's freedom and individual responsibility. Her survey of this complex field begins from an analysis of the proper name as a model for the problem of signification and explains revised concepts of limits, singularity, generality, definitions of text, writing, iterability, meaning and intention. The implications for translation theory are then elaborated, complicating the desire for translatability and incorporating sharp critique of linguistic and communicative approaches to translation. The practical import of this approach is shown in analyses of the ways Derrida has been translated into English. In all, the text offers orientation and guidance through some of the most conceptually demanding and rewarding fields of contemporary translation theory.

This outstanding collection brings together eminent contributors (from Britain, the US, Brazil, India and Canada) to examine crucial interconnections between postcolonial theory and translation studies. Examining the relationships between language and power across cultural boundaries, this collection reveals the vital role of translation in redefining the meanings of culture and ethnic identity. The essay topics include: * links between centre and margins in intellectual transfer * shifts in translation practice from colonial to post-colonial societies. * translation and power relations in Indian languages * Brazilian cannibalistic theories in literary transfer.